More than 150 photographic processes have been tested, developed, and used since the beginning of photography. Photographs produced using these processes differ in chemical composition, in internal structure, or in both. Chemical analysis of photographs is a major tool for identification of individual photographic processes. Photo: Dusan Stulik.

The research on the conservation of photographs project seeks to advance the identification of photographs and photographic processes beyond optical microscopy—the current standard methodology for identification of photographs. Through the systematic use of instrumental and analytical methods used in art conservation practice, and through newly developed advanced techniques, the project aims to identify major photographic processes and important process variants, and to provide greater insight into processing chemistry and postprocessing treatment of photographs.

The components of the project include:

an in-depth literature review of scientific and conservation material related to the identification of photographs and photographic processes;

Background
As chemical (classical) photography is increasingly replaced with digital photographic technology, there is a danger that this shift will trigger a decrease in scientific research and knowledge regarding chemical photography. This could result in the loss of crucial information about past artistic, commercial, and experimental photographic processes and technologies.

GCI scientists performing X-ray Fluorescence analysis of a portrait of Alfred Stieglitz by Alvin Langdon Coburn (from the collection of the National Media Museum in the United Kingdom). Photo: Philippa Wright, National Media Museum

In response to these concerns, the GCI and the Image Permanence Institute (IPI) in Rochester, New York, organized a meeting of experts in 2000 to discuss identification of the most important research issues of conservation of photographs and photographic material. The consensus among participants was that there was a need for the development of an advanced methodology to identify photographs and photographic materials as a prerequisite for further development of treatment and preventive treatment of photographic material.

Overview
Following the experts meeting in Rochester, the GCI conducted a feasibility study to define the methods, structure, and goals of the project. With the successful completion of the feasibility study the GCI, the IPI, the Centre de recherches sur la conservation des documents graphiques (CRCDG), Paris and the Department of Chemistry at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) launched a large scale collaborative research project.

Since the start of the project a number of other institutions and individual collaborators have joined different segments of the project, ranging from the development of analytical methodology to application of project results in solving important problems of art conservation and art historical research related to photographs and photographic collections.

The project team partners are working both independently and collaboratively on several areas of research, and meet regularly to exchange ideas and results.